Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (Cabinet build in progress))

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

I’ve been researching the idea of liquid mask after it was suggested on a different forum, but it sounds sketchy at best over the top of acrylic — and you have to be very timely with it or risk pulling the paint up. With as uneven as the vinyl wallpaper I’m using is, I’m more than a little concerned about even being able to get the appropriate areas covered, and then being able to get it all off.

I’m thinking the idea of drawing the design on with a colored pencil and dry brushing as best as possible is about the only way to go — it’s going to take a long time to do that main arch, so that might be the only one that gets the design. And if it turns out too dark, or “clean”, I’ll just pretend Jabba’s interior decorators came by to spruce the place up a bit.

 

[Chakaman]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Keep at it my friend. Everything looks great so far.

Setbacks happen. I can't tell you how many times I have messed up paintwork. Lots of trial and error. I have no doubts this will turn out looking spectacular.

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Keep at it my friend. Everything looks great so far.

Setbacks happen. I can't tell you how many times I have messed up paintwork. Lots of trial and error. I have no doubts this will turn out looking spectacular.

Thanks. I’m still mulling over my options at the moment, but time is running out — I’ll be going back to work next week, and then I won’t have much time to mess with this.

 

[D.R.37]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Looking great, Stryker. Liquid mask can be rough to remove it all, but then again this isn’t a crisp clear finish - should look dingy. Also removing the mask could pull the paint or wallpaper up. I’d try foam, the thin stuff craft stores sell in the 8x10(?) sheets. Just paint and weather the pieces separately and then glue on - still giving that raised detail appearance. When everything is assembled/placed, throw one last wash or two to tie it in. Just my suggestion. This is coming along so well... keep up the amazing job!

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Thanks, D.R.37. I was considering going 3D, but the actual set was just 2D. 3D is still an option as that would look pretty cool -- especially depending on the design. If I just go the simple route and use the Black Series pattern (the pictures I posted above) -- which is actually closest to the actual set -- I'd probably just go 2D, but the original Ralph McQuarrie painting, which is what it looks like all the Hasbro 3.75" dioramas used, would look amazing in 3D. The main arch is such an important part of the diorama, I really want it to look cool -- without drawing too much attention (if that makes sense).

 

[D.R.37]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Wow never knew the arch details were just painted on. Good to know. I agree with the main arch being important and if I get the room to create a palace dio I’m afraid it would only be the arch area. Always a treat to see collectors/builders go beyond that!

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Wow never knew the arch details were just painted on. Good to know. I agree with the main arch being important and if I get the room to create a palace dio I’m afraid it would only be the arch area. Always a treat to see collectors/builders go beyond that!

Here's a photo of the actual set:



And here's the original design by Ralph McQuarrie:



And the Hasbro 3.75" diorama:

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

And Hasbro's Black Series cardboard backdrop:



While this one is the closest to the scene specific design, I think they got lazy -- if you look closely at the "circles" the Black Series are all the same essentially, where as on the actual set, they flipped every other circle it appears, so they look slightly different from one another.

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Been working on drawing up some templates to use to put the arch design down. Decided to go with colored pencil to draw it on, then dry brush the negative spaces. Also decided to go with a combination of things: the center of the arch is using the Hasbro/McQuarrie design element, and the rest is using the roundest section of the Black Series arch design I could find. On the screen arch, they flipped each of the "circle" parts to add a different design touch, which is what I plan to do. The template will basically be flipped over and over as I draw it onto the arch. The center design will only be present in the one part. I plan to cut the negative spaces outside the lines that are currently present, that way I can dry brush over the pencil marks (hopefully hiding them) and make the edges of the design "blurry" to help give the illusion of fading. (To get the designs, I had to Photoshop smaller sections, blow them up to the appropriate height, print them out, trace the design onto separate pieces of paper, and then use carbon paper to lay it out onto tagboard.)


The template in progress, the upper right piece with the parallel lines is what I'm talking about as far as cutting outside the lines. The dark lines are the actual design, the lighter lines are where I would cut the template.




The finished drawing of the template:




The line running up and down indicates where the template would have to be flipped to start the opposite side of the arch, each circle will be a mirror of the one preceding it:

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Well, I have the design drawn on the main arch, I started out trying to use a brown colored pencil, but honestly, my old eyes can barely see the marks, so I had to switch to a regular pencil. If it turns out the edges are sharper than I would have liked, oh well.

In the first pic the colored pencil marks are on the left, regular pencil on the right:

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Well, here it is. I did, indeed, have to make it a bit darker than I wanted since the pencil marks were pretty obvious. Hopefully under subdued lighting they won't be as noticeable as they are up close.

 

[dls712]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Looking good Stryker. If you are still worried about it looking too dark, couple possible ideas... sandpaper over the arch design - fine grit paper/light touch... or... a light wash coat of the lighter "main wall color" color over the top of the arch design. If you go the wash coat route, would suggest thinning out the color quite a bit with water before application. Let it dry completely before each coat to see how really looks. A lot of thin coats to walk up to the edge is better than a too-thick coat that goes too far.

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Looking good Stryker. If you are still worried about it looking too dark, couple possible ideas... sandpaper over the arch design - fine grit paper/light touch... or... a light wash coat of the lighter "main wall color" color over the top of the arch design. If you go the wash coat route, would suggest thinning out the color quite a bit with water before application. Let it dry completely before each coat to see how really looks. A lot of thin coats to walk up to the edge is better than a too-thick coat that goes too far.

Good suggestion. I’ll try that once this dries completely.

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Well, I tried a couple different techniques on a practice piece, and found I like the results of the dry brush -- going back to the original color -- started out dabbing it on, then went back over with full brush strokes. Paint's still wet at this point. What do you guys/gals think?

 

[Chakaman]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

I think it looks great! Will look even better after you weather it a bit. Good stuff.

 

[dls712]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Nailed it!

Nice job Stryker.

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Thanks, guys. I started working on the floor just a bit ago. I want to get the “sand” down, the grate painted up, and put the thing back together to see how the light affects everything before I start messing with anything else. I’m hoping my friend finishes the backdrop of the BBQ area soon; I’m thinking of lighting it from the back, but before I can start building the cabinet I need to know how big the light box behind the display needs to be.

 

[ajp4mgs]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

The dry brushing worked brilliantly! It's so cool to get to see this coming together. Great work!

 

[D.R.37]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Well done! The dry brushing definitely hooked it up

 

[Stryker2011]

Re: Stryker2011's: JABBA THRONE ROOM CUSTOM DIORAMA (WIP)

Thanks, fellas, much appreciated.